South Korean shipowner Pan Ocean has taken the market by surprise by putting a modern panamax bulker up for sale.

According to European shipbrokers the outfit is now seeking a buyer for the 79,000-dwt bulker Pan Kyla (built 2012),

The sale runs contrary to the recent growth path taken by the shipowner.

Formerly known as STX Pan Ocean, the company was part of financially troubled STX Group that filed for receivership in June 2013.